The San Francisco 49ers didn’t play all of their starters on Sunday but still opted to allow Brock Purdy to get some action against the New Orleans Saints.
Many across the league viewed the decision as a stunning move for the Niners to play their starting QB, especially with Purdy running the risk of injury ahead of the regular season.
But as it turns out, head coach Kyle Shanahan made the decision to give his QB1 a new defense to play against after weeks of scrimmaging his own unit.
Now, with a road trip to Sin City on deck, will Purdy line up against the Las Vegas Raiders?
Details Emerge on Brock Purdy’s Status Ahead of Preseason Finale
In the era of three preseason contests, Week 3 is now the one where teams typically play their late-round rookies or veterans vying for a roster spot and allow the starters to rest ahead of the regular season opener.
This means there’ll be no sight of Purdy starting, right? Not exactly, per Shanahan’s Tuesday words.
The two-time NFC champion head coach revealed he plans to play his starters once again against the Silver and Black. This points to Purdy once again starting behind center.
49ers fans can be assured that their quarterback will not play all four quarters against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, though. Purdy was limited to 11 snaps in the 16-10 win over the Saints.
Analyst Criticizes Decision To Play Purdy
Purdy finished the evening at Levi’s Stadium going 2-for-6 for only 11 yards.
One national analyst, though, ripped the idea of the 49ers allowing Purdy to play.
NFL Network analyst and former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger lit into Shanahan and the 49ers on his appearance with 95.7 FM The Game’s “Morning Roast” on Tuesday.
One reason behind “Baldy’s” criticism of playing Purdy? How the NFC champion quarterback played with a supporting cast he’s not used to on Sundays.
“If you’re going to play with Trent Taylor and Brayden Willis and [Cody] Schrader and these guys, is that who you want your quarterback to be with?” Baldinger asked hosts Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky. “Like, I know you kind of want to get him into the rhythm of everything, but at least give him an option to throw it to.”
Baldinger shared how the receiving options lacked the explosiveness Purdy is used to out of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
“I’m watching these guys step out of bounds on routes, I’m watching these guys fall on their faces, I’m watching the left tackle give up a big hit to Brock. So if you’re going to sit everybody — and I mean everybody — why not sit your quarterback also?” Baldinger pointed out.
But before Baldinger’s rant, how did Purdy feel about getting back onto the field in what’s considered a meaningless game? It turns out Purdy welcomed the defensive pressure the Saints tried to apply on him, forcing the now third-year passer to play quicker.
“At practice, you’re not getting that,” Purdy said to reporters after the win. “Obviously, you get a pass rush and all that kind of stuff, but to get out in the game and understand that there’s a mental clock where you have to get the ball out or else you’re going to get hit. There’s times where you do have to stand in there and take some hits. That’s the kind of stuff you can’t get in practice.
“Honestly, it’s those things that I liked. Just the idea of playing in a preseason game to feel again before the season gets here and everything. It’s good reps for me. It’s a good feel for me as a quarterback, so I didn’t mind it. It’s part of the game.”
